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Man who used dark web to sell medication jailed

SEROCU A mugshot of Richardson, who is bald, looking at the camera. SEROCU
An investigation into Richardson took three years, SEROCU said

A man found with about 99,000 capsules of medication that he was selling on the dark web has been jailed.

Kevin Richardson, 58, had his Wokingham home raided by police in April 2022, where officers found drugs with an estimated value of about £77,000.

The drugs he was selling included zopiclone, pregabalin, diazepam, alprazolam, tramadol and alprazolam, which require a prescription.

Richardson, who posted the illegal medication via the Royal Mail, was jailed for nine years and nine months at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday.

Several devices found at his home were signed into dark web marketplace accounts.

SEROCU A picture taken at Richardson's home, which shows an officer taking a picture of boxes of medication in plastic boxes in her home. SEROCU
About 99,000 capsules were found throughout Richardson's home

He had earlier admitted:

  • Four counts of fraudulently evading the prohibition on the exportation of morphine
  • One count of supplying a controlled drug of Class A, namely morphine
  • Three counts of supplying a controlled drug of Class C, namely diazepam.
  • One count of offering to supply class C drugs, namely diazepam, tramadol, alprazolam, zopiclone and pregabalin
  • One count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class C, namely diazepam
  • One count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class C, namely tramadol
  • One count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class C, namely alprazolam
  • One count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class C, namely zopiclone
  • One count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class C, namely pregabalin
  • One count of offering to supply Class A drugs, namely morphine and oxycodone

Elena Vickers, from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), said an investigation into Richardson took three years.

"Richardson recklessly distributed these drugs on the dark web to vulnerable individuals worldwide without regard for the potentially devastating consequences they could have," she said.

"Buying pharmaceutical products from the dark web can be extremely dangerous. Although they may look legitimate, the capsules are sometimes manufactured with unsafe products which can pose a risk to whoever takes them.

"There are reasons why only doctors can prescribe such medication such as ensuring correct dosages and being able to monitor any side effects. You should seek medical attention if you have purchased drugs in this way."

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